After the death of the 13-year-old child, the Red Crescent denies the HIV allegations.

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The Turkish Red Crescent made a written statement regarding the claims that the virus was transmitted from a blood given by the Red Crescent after 13-year-old A.E.K. passed away due to AIDS (HIV) in İzmir.

The statement said, "The father of 13-year-old A.E.K., K.K., applied to the Atapark Blood Donation Center in Milas, Muğla, in January 2024 to become a blood donor for the first time. After the blood sample taken from K.K. was subjected to all tests, including NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) for safe blood supply, it was understood that he was HIV positive, and the relevant health and law enforcement units were immediately informed, the blood was destroyed, and father K.K. was placed on the Red Crescent's rejection list. The institution that first diagnosed HIV in the father and alerted all state units is the Red Crescent," it stated.

Here is the statement made by the Red Crescent;

"The death of a child due to AIDS (HIV) in İzmir has deeply saddened us all. While the Ministry of Health continues its investigations into how the HIV virus was transmitted to the deceased child, it has become necessary to make the following statement regarding the unfounded claims that the virus was transmitted from a blood given by the Red Crescent, which do not reflect the truth in any way. The father of 13-year-old A.E.K., who was treated for suspected osteoporosis in İzmir but was found to have AIDS, K.K., applied to the Atapark Blood Donation Center in Milas, Muğla, in January 2024 to become a blood donor for the first time. After the blood sample taken from K.K. was subjected to all tests, including NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) for safe blood supply, it was understood that he was HIV positive, and the relevant health and law enforcement units were immediately informed, the blood was destroyed, and father K.K. was placed on the Red Crescent's rejection list. The institution that first diagnosed HIV in the father and alerted all state units is the Red Crescent.

"THE RED CRESCENT APPLIES MODERN TESTS"

Since 2020, no notification has been made to hospitals or health authorities regarding any blood component carrying HIV risk from our Regional Blood Centers, and similarly, no notification has been received from hospitals in this regard. The Turkish Red Crescent meticulously carries out all its processes in line with its responsibility to protect public health during the blood donation process and applies modern tests in accordance with international standards to every blood component donated.

"IRRESPONSIBLE AND AMBIGUOUS STATEMENTS..."

All blood components provided by the Turkish Red Crescent are subjected to advanced screening and confirmation tests for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Syphilis infections. If an infection risk is detected in the tests, blood donations from the donor are not accepted, and this blood is absolutely not sent to hospitals. While the Red Crescent fulfills its duty of regular and safe blood supply, it meets the blood needs of approximately 9 million patients and injured individuals with about 3 million units of blood it receives annually. The damage that irresponsible and ambiguous statements may cause to the national duty carried out by the Red Crescent and to patients and injured individuals waiting for blood donations is beyond any explanation. We call on all relevant institutions, organizations, and individuals to be sensitive and inform that we are following the issue from all aspects."